BUDGET 2007 – Initiatives

The Budget (17 May) contained three announcements that were of interest to the Federation.
31-05-2007 more >>

Kiwibank campaign ends

Kiwibank has ended its two week price-cutting campaign designed to attract business from borrowers refinancing off maturing fixed rate deals.
31-05-2007 more >>

Residential building consents back on the rise

Dwelling unit approvals look to be trending back upwards in a move that could add to pressure on the Reserve Bank to lift interest rates at its review next Thursday.
30-05-2007 more >>

Looking for some balance in the demand-supply of housing

In the feature article of the May issue of ANZ's Property Focus, the simple demand-supply housing balance measures across the regions highlight Auckland and Wellington as areas where the market remains tightest. Conversely, a turning point is not too far away in the majority of regions, noteably Gisborne, Hawke's Bay and Taranaki.
27-05-2007 more >>

One bank war

Last week had with some good news for borrowers with Kiwibank dropping some of its fixed rate home loans in an effort to capture some of the refinance business in the market.
25-05-2007 more >>

Lifestyle property prices show surge

Lifestyle property prices are surging matching the demand for houses in town.
21-05-2007 more >>

Taxman closes in on property speculators

Property speculators who are reaping millions of dollars from the super-heated housing market are about to feel the heat from a tough new crackdown.
18-05-2007 more >>

Budget 2007: Action on property speculation

Press release by the Hon Dr Michael Cullen, Minister of Finance
18-05-2007 more >>

Kiwibank chases refinance busin

Kiwibank has cut its fixed rates loans in a two-week marketing campaign aimed at attracting borrowers refinancing from loans fixed two or three years ago.
18-05-2007 more >>

Brakes go on - big dive in house sales

Anne Gibson reports in the NZ Herald that New Zealand's biggest housing market is in the grip of a slow down.
10-05-2007 more >>

Further cuts to fixed rates

There have been further cuts to fixed rates over terms of two to five years from some finance companies and non bank lenders over the past week but some one-year rates have increased. The major banks, however, are maintaining identical rates over all terms.
10-05-2007 more >>

IRD Associated Persons – Rule Change

The IRD are planning changes to associated persons rules that would apply to developers and associated parties [and not to people who just own rental property].
30-04-2007 more >>

More Brits eyeing up NZ property market

New survey by British currency transfer specialist HiFix found that 5% of Britons looking to buy overseas were choosing New Zealand, making it the fifth most popular destination.
29-04-2007 more >>

More commission cuts likely

ANZ's discussion document proposing to cut upfront commissions paid to mortgage brokers won't be the last.
27-04-2007 more >>

Don't buy coffee and cars if you want a house

Following a report on falling rates of home ownership, Andrew King, Vice President of the NZ Property Investors' Federation, said people on $70,000 a year had to look at their other spending if they can't buy a house.
24-04-2007 more >>

Rent control doesn't help the poor

Mary Holm confirms that rent control is one of those nice ideas that does more harm than good.
23-04-2007 more >>

Competitive pressure amongst banks eases

The difficulty of picking where interest rates are headed has been thrown into sharp relief for people refixing shorter term finance at the moment or in the near future.
20-04-2007 more >>

Otago PIA President highlights changes

Cliff Seque, President of the Otago PIA, outlines the proposal for a house energy rating scheme similar to the star rating on major home appliances and highlights a raft of proposed tax measures.
16-04-2007 more >>

Interest rates keep on rising

Most lenders have now re-priced their mortgage ranges in response to the latest increases to the cost of their funding but some are fine-tuning and others are still catching up.
13-04-2007 more >>

Rents to rise as housing boom dies

James Weir reports that rents are expected to rise 6% a year for the next five years, but high interest rates have killed the house price boom after a five year run.
12-04-2007 more >>

Myth of tax bonanza for rental investors

Articles on home ownership this week put the blame for rising house prices on property investors. However, there is a considerable amount of misinformation and misunderstanding that has led the writers to their conclusions, says Andrew King
05-04-2007 more >>

Floating rates crack 10%

Floating rate mortgages have, as predicted, broken the 10% barrier following the latest rise in the Official Cash Rate (OCR) to 7.75%.
05-04-2007 more >>

Biggest Energy Efficiency Steps In 30 Years

New insulation requirements and moves to make it easier and cheaper to install solar water heating systems are part of major changes to the Building Code and Building Compliance Documents announced today by Prime Minister Helen Clark and Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove.
05-04-2007 more >>

Debate continues over long-term fixing

Lenders have started to push up the cost of home loans following the increase in the official cash rate from 7.25% to 7. 5% last Thursday.
16-03-2007 more >>

Insulation Offer to PIA Members

The EECA is offering NZPIF members a 55% subsidy ..
11-03-2007 more >>